Saudi factory fire kills 16 Bangladeshis, Dhaka announces

By Gael Camba Published on 10/08/2026 - 14:56 GMT+2 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp Bangladesh's foreign ministry reported "the tragic deaths of 16 Bangladeshi nationals in a fire at a sofa manufacturing factory in Riyadh" in its Monday statement. Bangladesh's foreign ministry said it was in "deep shock" on Monday, after reporting the deaths of 16 citizens in a sofa factory fire in Saudi Arabia the previous day. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Dhaka's Expatriates' Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said that there was "constant communication" with local authorities through the Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia. "Officials have been instructed to ensure the speedy repatriation of the bodies of the deceased expatriates and to secure all necessary government assistance and compensation for their families," he added. Around seven million Bangladeshis work overseas — the majority in the Middle East. The civil defence agency in the Saudi capital said a fire at an unlicensed facility where furniture was upholstered had been extinguished, without providing details about any casualties. Photo of the 16 Bangladesh nationals released by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment "Riyadh civil defence put out a fire at an unlicensed site being used for furniture upholstery," the agency said in a post on X. "The necessary regulatory procedures were subsequently completed regarding the site." Like many Gulf nations, Saudi Arabia relies on a vast number of labourers from the subcontinent to help bolster its workforce, especially with jobs involving manual labour. Reports in Saudi media estimate that over three million Bangladeshi nationals reside in the kingdom. Foreign workers in Saudi Arabia do everything from management to cleaning the streets and waiting on tables, in a society where many citizens are reluctant to take jobs they consider menial. Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Read more Yemen's Houthis attack kills 11 in Yemen, hit Saudi refinery Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan sign new defence pact amid US-Iran tensions Saudi Arabia: More than 1.5 million pilgrims perform stoning ritual in Mina Saudi Arabia Bangladesh Fire